Clamp for holding shoes while being stretched



(No Model.) Q I A. E. WHITNEY.

CLAMP FOR HOLDING SHOES WHILE BEING STRETGHED. No. 592,266. Patented Oct. 26,1897.

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llwirnn STATES ATENT @rrrcn. I

ALBERT E. WHITNEY, OF MUNCIE, INDIANA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 592,266, dated October 26, 1897. Application filed February 12, 1897. Serial No. 623,046. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, ALBERT E. WHITNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Muncie, in the countyoi Delaware and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps for Holding Shoes while being Stretched; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in clampsforholdingshoeswhilebeingstretched, and the objects are to constructa device for holding a shoe in a rigid position while a stretcher is being used within the shoe and to provide means whereby a shoe may be stretched or spread over the edge of the sole at one side without spreading or stretching the other side. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view of my clamps holding a shoe which is being stretched on one side. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same. Fig. 3

is a perspective view of my clamp attached to a table-top, and Figs. 4 and 5 are-detail views.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throu ghout the several views. V

A is the base-plate of the clamp, which may be attached to a frame or stand, or it may be set on and secured to a table-top by screws, as shown in Fig. 3. One side of'the plate A is provided with a raised and slightly curved and inclined inward edge B, asshown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The other or opposite edge otthe plate A is provided with two adjustable soleclamps O C. These clamps are set in and work in slots D in the said plate A, and these slots may be parallel with each otherabout two inches apart or slightly inclined toward each other, as indicated inFig. 1. f

It will be noticed that the edge B extends up a sufficient distance to bear against the side of the shoe and that the clamps O are of a less height and only bear against the sole, as shown in Fig. 2. .1

The clamps 0 project up from the plate A sufficient to catch over one edge of the shoesole,"as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the said clamps are adjusted lengthwise of the slots by a set-screw E, which extends centrally through and lengthwise of the said slot, the extreme inner end of the screw resting in the plate A and prevented from leaving the plate or working edgewise by a pin F, (see Fig. 5,) which rests against-the plate in the outer end of the said slot. The set-screw E is threaded to correspond with threads in the clamp C, so that by turning the said screw the clamp may be adjustedas desired.

It is well understood by shoe-dealers that in most every case where new shoes are to be stretched or spread the spreading is often, if not always, desired'by the wearer to be more on one side or place in the shoe than in the other, and with the ordinary shoestretchers this cannot be accomplished,as the stretcher is sure to spread at each side in opposite directions over the shoe-sole. With my clamp for holding the shoe the stretcher is prevented from moving outward or over the edge of the sole at one side by coming in contact with the raised side 13, as'ind'icated in Figs. 1 and 2. By the stretcher resting against the rigid side B the other side of the upper of the shoe is free to be spread or stretched as much as desired.

- In using my clamp and practicing my invention I use an ordinary shoe-stretcher such as are in general use, fasten the shoe in the clamps with the side to be spread next to the clamps C C, then insert the stretcher, and turn the handle H until the wings I I of the stretcher are spread apart suflicient to cause one of them to spread out over one edge of the shoe-sole, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is understood that shoe-stretchers now in use have two wings I I, and when the handle II is turned these wings separate or spread apart, and when the shoe is confined in my clamp one of the wings pressesup against the side or raised edge B, so that it cannot spread or stretch the upper on thatside, and therefore the other wing and whole stretch will I move toward the other side of the shoe. In placing a shoe in the clamp the side to be stretched is always placed next to the ad justable clamp O.

I may make my clamp in various forms without departing from my invention, as the important part of the invention will be pointed out in the following claims.

I claimagainst which one side of the shoe is adapted to bear,and independently-adj ustable clamps on the opposite side of the plate of less height than the stationaryedge for engaging the sole only of the opposite side of the shoe, sub stantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ALBERT E. XVIIITNEY. Vitnesses:

ALBERT E. LYMAN, OLIVER WILLIs NELSON. 

